YEP Letters: February 20

AS a fan of both Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos (before Sundays were match days) I would go alternate Saturdays to Elland Road and Headingley in the days when Leeds sport was dominated by those two fine Welsh imports – John Charles and Lewis Jones.

Rhinos were always the Blue and Amber Loiners and United the Mighty Whites.

Gaining their reputations under these names, why do we have both teams wear playing kit which resembles nothing like their traditional and historic colours?

United plays in a pale insipid mustard with navy blue trimmings and the Rhinos in various hues with atrocious pinks sometimes incorporated, and the more recent dark blue with pale blue stripes.

I know Gary Hetherington and Paul Caddick have done a wonderful job with the Headingley club but this constant unnecessary switching of colours is just sheer greed in order to make proud parents fork out extortionate prices for their children’s replica kit.

Only when Leeds play Warrington Wolves is there a need to wear an alternative so as to avoid a clash of colours.

An old row over free bus travel

Mick Robinson, Guiseley

So, Nick Kerr has crawled from under his stone again to beat his drum about free travel for pensioners (Your Feedback, February 14).

He’s obviously not joked with working class pensioners on limited incomes about free travel or he would have got short shrift from them.

Maybe when his parents get really old they will be able to look back with nostalgia to the days when they were fit enough to walk on Scafell.

But of course by then he will hate them due to his antipathy for old people.

Elderly never had it so good

Nick Palin, Garforth

No doubt the further letter from Nick Keer regarding free bus passes will provoke its usual strong response. However, I would like to take the opportunity to concur with his comments.

Traditionally, pensioners as a whole have been the poorest section of our community and as such I would have no objection to them being able to travel for half price or for a fixed amount.

However, the “pensioners” who are now aged between 62 and 72 have never had it so good; both in relation to previous and future generations.

Growing up, they have been able to take full advantage of the great social reforms of the post-war Labour government, enjoy a free university education and starting off their working life in a time of full employment.

They have been able to obtain housing relatively cheaply, whether it be by buying or renting from a social landlord.

Those that lived initially in social housing have been able to buy them and thus, by doing so, have denied future generations of access to affordable rented housing.

Generally they have had the benefits of being part of a strongly unionised work force and, in later life, have been able to take early retirement from their early 50s – many on final salary pension schemes – or, if they so wish, continue working beyond retirement age.

Given all this and the fact that we hear horrendous stories of social care failings both in the community and in an individual’s home, surely decent care for the most vulnerable elderly should be a greater priority than universal free bus travel and indeed, winter fuel allowance for all pensioners.

The reason why it isn’t, I would suggest, is that younger pensioners are more politically active than those within the care system; or is it that me being too cynical?

Different rules for rich over tax

Terry Maunder, Kirkstall

I WATCHED with increasing anger the performance of HM Revenue and Customs chief executive Lin Homer in front of the House of Commons Select Committee.

Particularly annoying was the phrase “not to my knowledge” when asked if she had received certain information about HSBC.

Some years ago I was harassed by HMRC regarding what they called non-payment of tax for the two jobs I had at the time.

I provided evidence that the appropriate tax had been paid and that both employers had notified them of my employment.

Still they harassed me with further letters, demonstrating not my tax avoidance but their incompetence.

Only when I involved an MP did they get someone independent to review it, who discovered that I had, in fact, paid the right level of tax.

Why do they harass the likes of me and let people higher up in the social class system get away with it?

Consign party to wilderness

Malcolm Nicholson, Barwick-in-Elmet

In office, the Labour Party brought this country to the brink of ruin.

Now, in opposition, it is plumbing new depths of intellectual bankruptcy.

Ed Miliband is truly the hollow man, devoid of any authority or stature.

Under his woeful leadership Labour has slid from Left-wing posturing into total incoherence.

There can be no greater concern than listening to Miliband and the increasingly comical Ed Balls pretending to have a memory loss for the financial disaster these two were part of.

Unfortunately the two Eds have that fatal combination – limited intelligence and a tiny bit of authority.

A long spell in the wilderness is exactly what the Labour Party deserves.

And with Miliband at the helm that is probably what it will receive.

Wealthy pay for influence

John Appleyard, Liversedge

The Conservative Party’s recent fundraiser for their general election campaign saw wealthy guests stump up £3m for the Tory coffers.

One person paid £75,000 for a week’s holiday in Greece and the privilege of being seen off at the airport by David Cameron!

Apparently Cameron received three standing ovations by these people who of course will expect to be rewarded in return.